Dylan Cappello and RBK Racing have entered at KCRP
Bakersfield, CA – Dylan Cappello and RBK Racing have entered the “Oil and Gas Industry Salute 80 presented by General Tire” at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP) for the Spears Manufacturing Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services. It will be a companion event to the ARCA Menards Pro Series West event on April 23rd, and the second visit to the facility in 2022. Cappello will be making his second start at the Bakersfield, CA ½-mile in a Pro Late Model, after scoring three victories in the Spears Modified Series.
The “Hitman” and RBK Racing will be joining forces once again in 2022, after competing together in the SPEARS Modified Series in years prior, as well as the PLM in 2021. Cappello has been busy with his east coast schedule, helping the Front Row MotorsportsTeam in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. But the opportunity to compete in select events, with the SPEARS Pro Late Model Series, will see Cappello coordinating long distance with Dean Kuhn. It is a situation that Cappello has confidence the team will be able to handle and have a car ready to run up front.
“The RBK Racing Team lead by Dean Kuhn got back together last year, when we built this Pro Late Model”, Cappello stated. “Dean and I have had a lot of long talks on the phone about setups, racing plans for this year, and what we think is the right direction before we show up to each race. It is a lot harder not being there in the shop, let alone on the other side of the country, but it is great knowing that it will be 110% right when I show up to race.”
Cappello got his SPEARS Pro Late Model Series season off to a great start, dominating the All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway. But despite his success at the series other ½-mile, and his Modified wins at KCRP, his Late Model finishes haven’t been as remarkable. In Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series competition, he finished 17th in 2020, while finishing eighth in the Pro Late Model last October. The event was one of his first outings in his new Pro Late Model, and he expects better results this trip.
“Kern was one of the first races that we participated in with the new Pro Late Model that Dean Kuhn and RBK Racing built last year”, Cappello explained. “We went there trying some new things and hadn’t yet zeroed in on a great “baseline” setup to unload with. We have gotten this car a lot better since our last outing at Kern, and I think we will be a strong force for the win next weekend.”
The two-time SPEARS Modified Series champion knows passing at Kern will be a challenge, but he hopes a good qualifying run will help on the momentum essential track.
“Kern is challenging in a Pro Late Model, especially because it is hard to create a big enough run to pass somebody, when the horsepower isn’t there”, Cappello described. “It is very much momentum based, and you have to find a good balance in your car to carry those runs you get off Turn 4 and move forward. We plan to qualify well and ease some of that stress with a good starting spot and hopefully allow us to control the race like we did at Irwindale.”
SPEARS Pro Late Model Practice will begin on Saturday at 1:30 pm, with the ARCA Menards Pro Series West taking part in their practice and qualifying session from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. The SPEARS Pro Late Models will take part in single car Qualifying at 4:30 pm. There will be an autograph session from 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 6:40 pm with the “Oil and Gas Industry Salute 80 presented by General Tire” rolling off thereafter. The ARCA Menards Pro Series “NAPA Auto Parts 150” will follow with a Fireworks Spectacular closing out the evening’s festivities.
